Poland

We have just received an audio report from Cardinal Vincent Nichols reflecting on his visit to Poland this weekend, 28 - 29 April 2018, to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the Ecclesiastical Primacy of the country.

The Cardinal was in the city of Gniezno, whose Archbishops were first recognised as Primates in 1418, and have held the title of Primate of Poland ever since.

The celebrations centred around the 11th century Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Adalbert.

This was the first time Pope Francis had asked Cardinal Nichols to act as a Papal Legate.

"What struck me most of all was the faith of the people who really have an attachment to their patron saint. We went into the cathedral through the 10th century doors, cast in bronze, telling the story of the life, missionary work and martyrdom of St Adalbert. It's this sense of a continuous living history of Catholic faith that is still very alive and vibrant in the country.

"For me this has been a very important visit to Poland and a way in which I come to appreciate and understand the depth of faith and the great contribution Polish Catholics can make in their own country and in the United Kingdom."

Listen as Cardinal Nichols looks back on his visit to Poland, discusses the reverence for St Adelbert/Wojciech and an interesting conclusion in which the Cardinal attempts some Polish!

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